Noel Whelan gives instant verdict on Leeds win against Blackburn

Noel Whelan praised Leeds after they eased the pressure on Garry Monk with a last-gasp win over Blackburn on Tuesday night.

Kyle Bartley scored the winner with four minutes remaining to secure a 2-1 triumph for the Yorkshire giants over the Championship’s bottom club.

Blackburn had levelled in the 78th minute after substitute Chris Wood had broken the deadlock after 65 minutes.

But defender Bartley’s header lifted Leeds’ points haul to seven points from seven league matches and took them to 17th in the table, a jump of five positions.

It will ease the pressure on manager Monk, whose position was under growing threat after four defeats in the Yorkshire giant’s opening six Championship matches.

“It’s a huge win,” ex-Elland Road striker Whelan told BBC Radio Leeds afterwards. “We knew this was a must-win game for Leeds, Garry and the team, and he delivered.

“They played a high intensity game, much better passing throughout the side and more attacking. It was little nervy at the end but we got over the line.”

Monk made three changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Huddersfield on Saturday, with Pablo Hernandez, Eunan O’Kane and Stuart Dallas replacing Alex Mowatt, Chris Wood and Kalvin Phillips.

“It was a much better side and formation tonight to deal with that midfield area,” Whelan added to BBC Radio Leeds. “The majority of the game was all about Leeds United from the first half to the second half.”